Platen-rotating mechanism for type-writers.



HENRY J. OTTO, or rRINoET-ON, INDIANA.`

PLATEN-ROTATING MECHANISM FOR TYPE-WRITERS'.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 29, 1907.

pplication filed July 9. 1906. Serial No. 325.337.

' invention, such' as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in typewriting machines and the like, and more particularly to means for imparting a step bys'tep rotary movement tothe cylindrical platen on the carnage of a typewriter, by the use of a fluid under pressure or by suction.

The object of the invention is-to provide a simple and practical platen operating mechanism of this character which may be controlled by a key upon the keyboard of the typewriter.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features oi construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a view showing the application of the invention to a typewriter; Fig. 2 is a detail rvertical sectional view through the same; rand Fig. 3 is a detail horizontal sectional view showing the valve controlling mechanism.

lReferring to the drawings by numeral, 1 denotes a portion' of the frame of a typewriter, 2 the reciprocal carriage of the same, and 3 the rotary paper cylinder or platen vmounted upon said carriage and adapted to be actuated by my improved operating mechanism 4. The latter comprisespa relatively stationary cylinder 5 and a sliding cylinder 6 which telescopes the cylinder'5 and is adapted to be actuated by either pressure or suction-within said cylinders. The cylinder 5 is suitably mounted upon the upper portion of the frame 1, and thecylinder 6 has projecting rearwardly from its closed end an apertured arm 7, through the aperture in which is adapted to slide a longitudinally 'extending rod 9 carried by the carriage 2. This rod 9 forms the connecting portion of a substantially U- shaped frame, the ends l0 of which are pivoted at 11 concentric with the lpivot or shaft oi the cylindrical platen 3. One of the arms 10 carries a pivoted paw] or dog 1 2, which engages the ratchet teeth 13 of the usual ratchet at one end of the said platen, so that as the frame is oscillated upon its pivot 11 the pawl 12 will impart a step by step rotary movement to the platen 3. The cylinder 5 is connected, by a conductor 14, to a valve casing 15, which is in turn connected to a pipe 16 containing a cut-ofi and regulating valve 17. The casing 15 contains a valve device consisting of two cone-shaped valves 18, 19 mounted upon a sliding stem 20 and adapted to alternately engage valve seats 21, 22 arranged in the casing 15, the valve 19 being adapted to control communication between the pipe 16 and the casing 15, and hence the conductor 14; and the valve 1S being adapted to control communication between the conductor 14 and the atmosphere. The outer end of the valve stem 20 is loosely connected,"as at 23, to the inner end of a key lever 24 arranged at a suitable point upon the keyboard. This key lever is pivotedV at 25 and has upon its inner end a key 26 which is held norlnally elevatedv by a coily spring 27 arranged upon a guide pin 28 depending from the lever 24 and projecting through an apertured guide. The action of the spring 27 in holding the key 26 elevated also moves the valve stem 2() outwardly to hold the valve 19 normally upon its seat and the valve 18 away from its seat. This position of the valves is the normal one when the cylinder 6^is to be actuated by compressed air or other Huid under pressure; but when said cylinder is to be actuated by suction, the normal positions ot' the valves are reversed, as will be readily understood,

The .opemtion of theyinvention is as follows: When the key 26 is depressed, the inner end of its lever 24 will force the valve stem 2O inwardlyto close the valve 18 upon its seat 2 and move the valve 19 from its seat 22 and thereby admit compressed air from the supply pipe 16 into the conducting pipe 14 through which it passes, to the cylinders 5, G. A s the cylinder G is forced rearwardly, its arm 7 will swing the rod 9 andA its arm 10 and thereby cause the pawl 12 to move the cylindrical platen 3 the distance of one tooth of the ratchet 13. This movement of the platen moves the paper' the distance of one line, as will be readily understood.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,` the construction, operation and advantages of the inventionvwill be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my "1 vention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent isz- I In a rypewriling machine, thc combination with its rotary platen of mechanism for.impartng a step by step movement to said platen, a stationary cylinder, a member connected with said mechanism and having a cylinder slidubly engaging said stationary cylinder, a fluid supply reservoir, a valve chamber connected with said reservoir, a pipe connectingsuid valve chamber with said stationary cylindery a vulve stem slidable in said chamber :ind having two cone valves mounted thereon, one opening into the uid supply reservoir and the other to the atmosphere, means for holdingsaid uid supply valve normally closed und -means for opening one valve and closing the other alternately to connect the stationary cylin- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY J. OTTO.

Witnesses WXLLIAM M. RmcHm, ROBERT C. BALTZELL. 

